Orvana Minerals Corp.: Construction Completed of Leaching-Precipitation-Flotation ('LPF') Plant at Don Mario UMZ Copper-Gold-Silver Mine, Bolivia

TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 03/07/11 -- Orvana Minerals Corp. (TSX: ORV), is pleased to announce completed construction of its new leaching-precipitation-flotation ('LPF') plant at its Don Mario Upper Mineralized Zone ('UMZ') mine in Bolivia, by its wholly-owned subsidiary Empresa Minera Paititi S.A. ('EMIPA'). Start-up and commissioning is in process.

'We have already stockpiled over 200,000 tonnes of ore from the UMZ mine. Since the initial production will be in higher grade ore, we expect to produce significantly more copper, gold and silver than the average annualised production in the first few years.' said Carlos Mirabal, President and Chief Operating Officer of Orvana.

In addition to start up and commissioning of the LPF plant, Orvana is also pleased to announce it has signed a sales agreement to purchase the concentrate.

'We congratulate the entire team at EMIPA for starting up and commissioning this operation. The team completed this project under the budget of US$20 million. While we did have some delays in the permitting and construction of the sulphuric acid plant, we will now be able to benefit from strong copper, gold and silver prices, all of which is un-hedged' emphasized Roland Horst, CEO of Orvana.

Orvana will be pleased to provide more details on Don Mario, as well as its EVBC gold/copper development in Spain and its Copperwood copper project in Michigan at its booth (#2738) at the PDAC, March 6-9, 2011. Orvana will also be presenting at the Investors Exchange at 10:40am on Wednesday, March 8th.

About Orvana

Orvana Minerals is a gold producer with a strong balance sheet and is transforming itself into a multi-mine gold and copper producer. Orvana's primary asset is the El Valle/Boinas-Carles ('EVBC') gold-copper project in northern Spain, which is expected to be in production early in 2011. Orvana owns and operates the Don Mario gold mine in Bolivia where construction is complete on the leaching-precipitation-flotation ('LPF') plant to process its fully permitted copper-gold-silver Upper Mineralized Zone ('UMZ') deposit. Start-up and commissioning is in progress. In addition, Orvana is advancing its Copperwood copper project in Michigan, USA. Additional information is available at Orvana's website (www.orvana.com).

Forward Looking Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws ('forward-looking statements'). Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, potentials, future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as 'believes', 'expects' 'plans', 'estimates' or 'intends' or stating that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might', 'will' or 'are projected to' be taken or achieved) are not statements of historical fact, but are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, all aspects of the development of the Upper Mineralized Zone ('UMZ') deposit at the Don Mario Mine in Bolivia, the El Valle-Boinas/Carles project in Spain and the Copperwood project in Michigan and their potential operations and production; the outcome and timing of decisions with respect to whether and how to proceed with such development and production; the timing and outcome of any such development and production; estimates of future capital expenditures; mineral resource estimates; estimates of permitting time lines; statements and information regarding future feasibility studies and their results; production forecasts; future transactions; future metal prices; the ability to achieve additional growth and geographic diversification; future production costs; future financial performance, including the ability to increase cash flow and profits; future financing requirements; and mine development plans.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Orvana as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions of Orvana contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form, or as otherwise expressly incorporated herein by reference as well as: there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, power disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; permitting, development, operations, expansion and acquisitions at the UMZ deposit, El Valle-Boinas/Carle's and the Copperwood projects being consistent with the Company's current expectations; political developments in any jurisdiction in which the Company operates being consistent with its current expectations; certain price assumptions for gold, copper and silver; prices for key supplies being approximately consistent with current levels; production and cost of sales forecasts meeting expectations; the accuracy of the Company's current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates; and labour and materials costs increasing on a basis consistent with Orvana's current expectations.

A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include fluctuations in the price of gold, silver and copper; the need to recalculate estimates of resources based on actual production experience; the failure to achieve production estimates; variations in the grade of ore mined; variations in the cost of operations; the availability of qualified personnel; the Company's ability to obtain and maintain all necessary regulatory approvals and licenses; the Company's ability to use cyanide in its mining operations; risks generally associated with mineral exploration and development, including the Company's ability to develop the UMZ deposit, the Copperwood project or the El Valle-Boinas/Carle's project; the Company's ability to acquire and develop mineral properties and to successfully integrate such acquisitions; the Company's ability to obtain financing when required on terms that are acceptable to the Company; challenges to the Company's interests in its property and mineral rights; current, pending and proposed legislative or regulatory developments or changes in political, social or economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates; general economic conditions worldwide; and the risks identified in Orvana's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2009 under the heading 'Risks and Uncertainties'. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company's Annual Information Form for a description of additional risk factors.

Forward-looking statements are based on management's current plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions and, except as required by law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements should assumptions related to these plans, estimates, projections, beliefs and opinions change. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Contacts:

Orvana Minerals Corp.

Natalie Frame

Investor Relations

(289) 200-7640


Orvana Minerals Corp.

Roland Horst

Chief Executive Officer

(416) 369-1629


Orvana Minerals Corp.

Carlos Mirabal

President and Chief Operating Officer

(416) 369-1629
ask_us@orvana.com
www.orvana.com